International Legends Cup Is Coming to Albuquerque

… If they can find somewhere to play

On July 31, the Albuquerque Sol FC announced an exciting partnership with the International Sports Group that will bring a soccer match to the city unlike any we've seen before. The International Legends Cup plays out on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 4pm. The match features ex-World Cup players, including Carlos Valderrama and Carlos Bracamontes, who were introduced at the press conference. Sol FC president Ron Patel says the current plan is to host the game at the Lobo football field, though details are still being ironed out.

What's clear though is the scope of this partnership's ambition. A family-friendly mercado-style fair will be open to the public starting at noon, says Sol FC general manager Larry Espinoza. After the match concludes Grupo Pesado and Banda La Trakalosa de Monterrey take the field for a spirited concert. Grupo Pesado won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Norteño Album two years in a row, in 2009 and 2010.

Espinoza spoke of “aggressive pricing,” meaning he’s marketing the match as affordable with individual tickets starting at $30. Furthermore, family packs of four tickets will be available for $99. The tickets not only grant admission to the soccer match, but include the concert afterward. With the mercado opening at noon, the soccer match starting at 4pm and the concert starting when the game concludes, that's up to seven hours of entertainment for the price of a single ticket.

Valderrama and Bracamontes were cheered upon introduction. Both men are still well known on the international scene, and during the post-conference Q&A session, both were well-received by the crowd. The draw of these two is obviously the grand opening for the International Legends roster, but there are plenty more names to be revealed.

While the Sol FC entertained the crowds with the former players and announced the date and starting prices for the match, they also acknowledged there are plenty more details to come. The announced goal is to sell out the Lobo football field—on the presumption that the match actually happens there. However, despite the press conference, the final location is not yet certain, nor are tickets yet available, nor has the full final lineup been announced. Both the Albuquerque Sol FC's Twitter account and their Facebook page should have more information as the details continue to be worked out, and the Alibi will continue to pursue clarification.